The housing market in Jacksonville, Florida is hot, according to local Realtors, even through the holidays.

"Jacksonville boasts beautiful oceans, shopping and entertainment," says Realtor Jared Dalto. "When home buyers from around the country look at places to live, Florida is one of the top destinations, especially Jacksonville. Beautiful waterfront properties along the ocean and intercostal, palm trees surrounding your neighborhood and sunny weather all year long. A boaters paradise for water sports and fishing."A

Dalto advises, "ll indicators are pointing to another increase in home prices this year in Jacksonville. New construction in Jacksonville is still booming but slowing down a little. Opportunities are still here. Jacksonville new homes is sometimes the way to buy. Many people buy a resale home and one may find the same value and price in new construction to be equal. With interest rates at just under 6 percent, many home seekers are looking to find a home or investment in Jacksonville before the rates increase again. Local areas will always have their desirable neighborhoods that will command buyers and sellers any time of the year."

Says Realtor Jim Friedner, "In the month of December, there is low inventory in the $200K market and below. Golf course communities, and navigable waterfront homes are in low supply. Buyers are waiting for good properties to come on the market, and sellers are receiving offers very close to market price depending on condition, location, and advertising of the property. Interest rates seem to be holding at close to record lows this month. My forecast for appreciation is 12-20 percent increase per year depending on location and condition. Most new construction in this area (homes) start in the 200's. Townhouses and condos start in the 140's."

"Jacksonville is growing by leaps and bounds," offers Realtor Dena M. Calivas. "New home construction has steadily increased and resale home values are appreciating and at higher rates! Great for the home sellers, but more challenging for the home buyers to find what they want in their price range. However, the buyers today will also see their property values increase. Predictions indicate that our market will still see a strong growth!"

Published: December 13, 2004

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.